Here's a Fourth of July update from Four Friends International:

 

1. October Mission Trip

2. Operation Amalia

3. Clinic Update

4. Excerpt from Upcoming Book

 

 

1. October Mission Trip

 

The FIRST TEAM MEETING for the October mission trip is Sunday August 6 at 4:00 pm in the new wing of Arab FBC. We still have room for several more people!

 

Here are the pertinent details:

 

WHEN?    October 7-13, 2017 

WHERE?  Jalapa, Guatemala

WHAT?    1) medical clinics at Los Laureles and Los Pinos

              2) Operation Amalia (see below) 

              3) diabetic education classes 

              4) a Thursday night worship concert by the Jalapa youth choir

              5) a Thursday night "free market" after the concert

WHO?     medical and non-medical Christian volunteers

COST?    $1500 per person (all-inclusive)

             Deposit: $125 deposit to Arab FBC by July 15

             Remainder due by August 15

 

 

2. Operation Amalia

 

Operation Amalia is a new ministry that seeks to improve hygiene among infants at the Jalapa dump. It will be administrated by Leeah Harcrow, a registered nurse who has traveled  to Jalapa every fall since 2011, and her husband Jackson. They were deeply moved last year during a visit to the dump when they saw a baby with a severe diaper rash. The mother could afford only one or two diapers per day, so dried feces and urine covered the baby's raw and irritated skin. The infant’s name was Amalia. Now Leeah and Jackson are starting a ministry in her name that will provide diapers, wipes, ointment, and other supplies to babies living in the dump. Once each week, the mothers will bring their infants to the clinic to be bathed, and a week’s worth of diaper supplies will be distributed. The ministry will officially begin in October, but Leeah and Jackson are already collecting supplies and money. For details, contact Leeah by Facebook or cellphone (256-200-4857).

3. Clinic Update

 

The Los Laureles clinic treated more patients in June than in any previous month. For the first time, the pharmacy there was restocked with medications purchased inside Guatemala. This will be repeated each month while we explore options for transporting medicines from the United States on a regular basis.

Work on the Los Pinos clinic continues. Juan Carlos and his construction crew are busy painting the exterior and interior walls. When this is done, the clinic will be 60% completed. At this rate, the structure should be completed by year's end. Though unfinished, the clinic will be used for the first time during the October mission trip. Furnishing and dedication of the clinic is scheduled for May of 2018, and weekly medical care will begin at that time. 

 

Please pray for these clinics!

 

 

4.  Excerpt from Upcoming Book
 

In September, a new book about Four Friends International will be published and available to the public. Entitled Corner of the Cot, it relates why Four Friends was organized, how it ministers, and what people can do to help. Here's an excerpt from the book:
 
       It was hot and dry that day, the rainy season weeks away, as Gustavo Garcia began to make his way to the Jalapa dump. He had often journeyed there to minister to the poorest and most despised. This trip, however, was different from the rest. At that time, he knew nothing of Four Friends International, for the organization had not yet been formed. Everything soon to be available to the people at the dump -- medicine at a free clinic, education at the local school, income at the city market, hygiene at a mother's side -- was unknown and unfathomable to him, many nights and many prayers ahead.      

      God had touched his heart a few years previously with love for these people. They were one of the major reasons he and Pastor Heberto chose Los Laureles as a mission site. While others occasionally associated with dump residents for political, social, or economic reasons, Gustavo interacted with them regularly on behalf of Christ, armed only with divine compassion. "I truly care for these people," he would say. "The others don't.”
      Sensing this was true, the dump dwellers embraced him as a helper and friend. He had brought them water to drink, food to eat, clothes to wear, Bibles to read, medicine to take, and stories to share. Though his resources were much greater than theirs, they knew there was a limit to what he could do. He could meet just a few of their needs for a brief period of time. Nevertheless, they appreciated his help, no matter how temporary it might be. Above all, they adored his heart. There was something beautiful and permanent in his love that stood in sharp contrast to the wretchedness and decay around them. 

      The respect Gustavo had garnered at the dump was the reason this trip was not the same as any before. A few families there had invited him to eat supper with them as a "thank you" for all he had done. Until now, he had always traveled to the dump to minister to the people. This time, he was going there so they could minister to him. 

      As he approached the entrance to the dump site, Gustavo thought about a decision he would have to make at dinner. He was a Guatemalan and therefore could safely eat foods Americans had to avoid. This meal, however, was an exception. He knew that when he dined with the dump residents he would be eating their food and drinking their beverages. Heaven only knew what unfamiliar disease-carrying germs were contained therein. Such was the dilemma he faced. He was certain, if he ate and drank, he would become ill. He also knew, if he declined, he would be impolite. 

     That evening, Gustavo chose to sacrifice his health on the altar of compassion. He joyfully and graciously consumed everything put before him, as if being served at the finest restaurant in town. And, just as predicted, he soon became sick, enduring several days of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In the likeness of the suffering servant of Isaiah, he literally "carried their diseases" in Jesus’ name.  
      If anyone who reads this book is tempted to praise me or any volunteer who has ministered in Jalapa, perhaps this story will cause him or her to reconsider. Months before Four Friends International came to Los Laureles, Gustavo Garcia came there to serve and to be served, loving and suffering and sacrificing more than any American has since. And if anyone is inclined to praise Gustavo for his humble deeds, perhaps a glance back at Calvary will squelch that, too. The greatest sacrifice and suffering in history was endured by the One who lowered Himself from Heaven to fellowship with sinners like you, me, Gustavo, and a paralyzed first-century man.      
      To Him be all the glory forever and ever. Amen.

 

 

Next month will mark the second anniversary of ongoing medical care at Los Laureles. I will share another excerpt from Corner of the Cot about the first patient treated there.